restaurant week- thursday

when i worked on this cookbook back in my days as a photo assistant, i knew when this cookbook hit stores it would be an instant classic.  although trattoria grappolo is not a household name, it is one of the california central coast wine country's must eats.  from the amazing fresh baked focaccia to the pizza con salame toscano, head chef leonardo curti has made simple traditional italian cuisine that will knock your socks off.  our favorite, and something we've had many times, is their calamari alla positano.  this calamari stuffed with smoked mozzarella and prosciutto leaves me wanting more and more.  next time you are out wine tasting in the central coast or staying in santa barbara, be sure to stop by this place, you will not be disappointed.  

Calamari alla Positano

(from Trattoria Grappolo)

1 lb. fresh calamari tubes w/ tentacles

1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella cheese

2 tbs grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp dry oregano

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbs chopped italian parsley

2 slices prosciutto

olive oil

wash and clean calamari, and separate tubes from the tentacles; set aside in a colander to drain.  in a blender or cuisinart, pulse mozzarella, parmesan, oregano, garlic, parsley and prosciutto until combined.  place the mixture into a piping bag and then fill the calamari tubes.  with a toothpick, attach the tentacles to the bottom of the tube hole and close the opening.  lightly brush the calamari with olive oil.  bring a non stick pan to high heat and add the calamari.  cook each side for approximately 2 minutes.

santa barbara

here are a couple tears from the santa barbara magazine we got in the mail yesterday.  on the left, a shot of the beautiful begonias i was able to shoot a few months back.  everything i shot that day was stunning, all the colors were just mesmerizing.  on the right are a few shots i took from todd mossman antiques and design.  todd was nice enough to let me photograph some of his amazing treasures.  it's always nice when a subject has a passion for the things you are photographing.  thanks to all the girls at sb mag for doing such a wonderful job with this magazine issue to issue.  check out the current issue with a gorgeous cover shot by the wonderful and talented coral von zumwalt.

bowling green

lawn bowling is a sport all its own.  here are a few shots from a story i did for santa barbara magazine.  the classy men and women that play in santa barbara a few days a week make a sport that is surprisingly hard (in case you didn't know, the balls aren't round), look way too easy. this vintage vibe shows how wearing all white may be the coolest thing around.  if you have never played, take a trip to your local lawn bowling club and take a lesson from the pros!

scarlet begonias

today feels just a little bit too much like summer is still around.  its hot and sticky and we really want the fall to make itself official.  these begonias were shot for santa barbara magazine for a future article and these were a couple polaroids from the shoot.  i just remember the shoot day as a cool, cloudy, nice fall feeling day in the middle of the summer.  and i can't help but think of some lyrics when i shot the begonias...here is what was in my head...

...she had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes

and i knew without asking she was into the blues

she wore scarlet begonias, tucked into her curls

i knew right away she was not like other girls

-grateful dead